Workshops

Meditation For Change

A monthly meditation workshop, for all levels of experience.

All profits donated to a different organization each month. Workshops are held at Mud and Lotus Yoga Center in Germantown, Philadelphia on Sundays from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The cost is $20. Please see link for registration. (Note: you will be asked to sign up for a free MINDBODY account to register.. if this is not possible, or if have any issues, please contact me for details/help with registration)

Participants will be guided in meditation techniques that are designed to change the way we experience life. These workshops can help you feel more accepting and appreciative of your mind and body, experience more pleasure and gratitude, let go of unhelpful thought patterns, and access your creative mind to develop new ways of thinking. These mental shifts can increase our energy and capacity to effect change in our lives and in the world around us.

This workshop will provide a trauma informed container, with a sensitivity to the mental and physical experiences that can arise when we become still.

100% of the profits will be donated to causes that are near and dear to the M&LYC community, with a new organization chosen each month. Change yourself, change the world.

Instructor: Isaac Garfield lcsw

Isaac is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist in the Philadelphia area. He is known for his work using EMDR, a trauma treatment modality, and for his work with men and men’s groups. His experience with meditation includes a Buddhist monastic inquiry with Thich Nhat Hanh, training in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, 25 years of meditation practice, and 10+ years of leading meditation workshops and trainings for individuals and groups.

This workshop is for meditation practitioners of all experience levels, yes- even beginners! Please reach out to us/ Isaac with any questions. Wear comfy clothes and bring: water, a snack, yourself, an open heart and mind.

Past worksHops

The Wild Within - Day long experience for adults.

Tracking from the outside in:  learning to navigate life with greater curiosity, gratitude, excitement, confidence and understanding of self.

The Wild Within, is a book written by master animal tracker, Paul Rezendes. In the book, each chapter combines a tracking story  with the lessons that he learned about himself  through the experience. 

Expanding upon Rezendes’ approach to tracking, in this day-long workshop, we will utilize nature as a means of reflection and healing; both learning about ourselves and our relationship to all elements of life. The focus will include three parts: 1. Mammals and insects, 2. plant tracking, and 3 bird language. Participants will be asked to take a deep dive of awareness reflecting on what comes up within themselves as they track different elements of nature, sharing with others in the group, and uncovering take home lessons and focal points moving beyond the workshop to enhance their experience of life. 

  • Date: Fall 2024. Exact date and time TBD

  • Location: The Wissahickon woods in Philadelphia. Meeting point will be given to participants who have registered and bought their ticket

  • Registration and information: call 215-366-0184 or email isaac@therapyig.com

The Wild Within.  6 session series for adults.

Tracking from the outside in: a skillset to navigate life with greater curiosity, gratitude, excitement, confidence and understanding of Self.

this succession series will be similar and designed to the day long workshop with specific focus and deepening experience and insight through each of the three tracking focal points: mammals and insects, plants, and bird language

  • Date: Fall 2024. Exact date and time TBD

  • Location: The Wissahickon woods in Philadelphia. Meeting point will be given to participants who have registered and bought their ticket

  • Registration and information: call 215-366-0184 or email isaac@therapyig.com

Monthly Meditation Workshop

Fight the Sunday scaries!  Learn to disconnect from your thinking mind and observe life from more of a perspective; disengage from worries and actively choose where you really want to focus your energy and attention in life.

Date: 4th Sunday of every month (1/22/23, 2/26, 3/26, 4/23, 5/21 (exception here due to Memorial Day).. ) Time: 645-915pm Cost: $5-25 donation to organization paid in advance Location: in person at the Mens Center for Growth and Change and Zoom (address or link given at registration) Prerequisites: 5 to 10 minute introductory call with me and a couple weeks worth of meditation practice (does not have to be consecutive) Registration: please email me at isaac@therapyig.com

The meditation techniques taught during these two hour workshops are basic, mindfulness-based tools that can be used in sitting practice and everyday activities.

The workshop is divided into 3, 30-minute periods with short breaks, instruction and time for questions in between. I will be available during the second 30-minute segment for individual consultation regarding technique, increasing physical comfort or general support related to emotional or mental distress that can come up during the practice.

I require a 5-10 minute, phone interview for all interested participants to make sure that this practice will serve you and is an appropriate fit.

I am offering these workshops on a volunteer basis with a required $5-25 donation to an environmental organization, working on community based sustainability across the socioeconomic spectrum .

My inspiration for offering this workshop is the profound growth I’ve witnessed in psychotherapy clients when they adopt a regular meditation practice. (this workshop is available to everyone, not just clients.)

I also know many people who struggle to start and maintain a meditation practice. Committing to these workshops can be both a goal to work towards, increasing length of sitting time and a helpful way to maintain their practice.

Please contact me to schedule a call or with any questions that you have about the workshop.

Warmly, Isaac

isaac@therapyig.com